Alright, this is Nova's Author's Note. School has been hell for me, so Elisabeth had to pick up my slack. But I'm finally here, doing my share. When I could be playing Pokemon Black 2.

Monday 9/12/11

Suzaku relaxed after the day of school. He took a moment to reflect on everything that had happened. The school trip was a lot of fun, and he and the others had made a solemn vow to never let Rise near alcohol again. He had also signed up for the Symphonic Band, but had yet to actually go to practice since he was unpacking. But all his stuff was finally unpacked and he could relax. He sat down on his couch and switched on the TV.

What he was not expecting was to see his blue-haired underclassman, Naoto Shirogane.

Honestly, he wasn't sure what to think about Naoto. His grey eyes seemed to scan everything, always calculating and planning. He was always watching and observing, and it was unnerving. Then there was the fact that the ladies loved him. Suzaku normally wouldn't even think about it, except one girl on their team. Every time he was mentioned, a blush rose to her cheeks.

In all honesty, he didn't know how to feel about Erin. She was sweet, charming, and extremely modest. She seemed very unsure of herself though, and he felt like he needed to restore her faith in herself. And while he saw her as a good friend, he felt a wave of envy rise with how she reacted to his name being mentioned. All things aside, the boy was interesting, and so he turned his attention back to the program.

"First, congratulations to you and the police for your recent arrest of the culprit."

Suzaku sighed. He, along with the rest of the Investigation Team, knew the police didn't have the culprit, otherwise Suzaku wouldn't have been in the television in the first place. Naoto had begun to speak, so he returned his attention to the TV.

"I would hesitate to say the matter is 'cleared up' as such. It's true that our suspect was behind Mr. Morooka's unfortunate death, but when I cast my eye over the case as a whole, I detect a few things that seem out of place."

This caught the announcer off-guard. "Oh? Like what?"

The young detective answered very quickly, as if he had prepared this speech. "Unfortunately, I cannot divulge such details at this time. But this matter claimed the lives of three people. Hence, I believe even the smallest inconsistency must be investigated."

Suzaku stopped paying attention at this point. He was more preoccupied with trying to figure out Naoto's angle. What could he be trying to gain from going on TV? He'd need to compare notes with the other members of the team, but an idea began to form in his head. He turned off the TV as he headed off to bed.

Tuesday 9/13/11

Suzaku joined everyone as they made their way towards toward school. They bumped into Naoto about halfway there. But he was out of uniform, which was odd. Was he not going today? He began to discuss the case with them, going over what they already knew. How Morooka's death was different from Ms Yamano's or Saki Konishi's, and how Yukiko, Kanji, and Rise were all targeted and went missing.

He didn't mention Erin or Suzaku, but that was most likely because of the short time between them missing and them being rescued. What caught Suzaku's attention was that Naoto insinuated that they could save the kidnapped people. As he past them, he turned and said to them,

"This is not a game for me either."

That, along with the rest of what he had said, and the fact that he wasn't in school was unsettling and everyone was unnaturally quiet. Other then the normal asking Yu for answers from Yosuke and Chie, not much was said.

Thursday 9/15/11

It was raining, and everyone was up to watch the Midnight Channel. They knew the killer was still out there, as proven by Suzaku, and they had seen an image the night before. Suzaku had turned off the lights, and was watching for the first time. At the stroke of midnight, his television began to glow an eerie yellow-green colour. What was on screen was what looked like a lab table with large metal equipment above it. Until a boy in a blue hat and lab coat walked onscreen.

"Good evening, everyone. I am the Detective Prince, Naoto Shirogane." The camera shifted to a close-up of the left, and he turned to face it again. "Welcome to Experiment of the Century: The Genome Project! I will be experimentor and experimentee both, in a forbidden yet wonderful bodily alteration process!" The camera now faced his right and he turned again. "You shall witness my departure into a new realm… The moment of a new birth! From the chosen day forth, I shall walk a completely different path in life…!" The camera zoomed to it's original position and he turned to face it again. "And I shall share this glorious occasion, this memorable day, with all of you! Do stay tuned!"

With that, the Midnight Channel went off and the room returned to normal. For Suzaku, this was rather disturbing. He quickly dialed Yu's number and got a busy signal so he called the next person he could talk to: Erin.

After three rings, she picked up, sounding rather shaken, "Um, h-hello? Who is this?"

Suzaku was just as shaken, but he needed to talk to her, "E-Erin-san? It's me, Suzaku."

She calmed down a little, seeming to understand why he called. "O-Oh! Hey!" She forced out a laugh, and continued, "I guess you're calling about the Midnight Channel, right..?"

He was very blunt with his next statement, "Yes. Was mine that bad?"

She paused, debating what to say, and decided to give him the truth, "Yes." She quickly changed the subject. "I feel bad for Naoto-kun, though… He must be feeling so scared, and alone right now."

Suzaku vividly remembered what waking up in the television felt like, "I can sympathize; What are we going to do."

"We have to go in there and save him." She sounded so sure, so determined... So different from normal.

Suzaku clenched his fist, "That crafty bastard… That's why we went on the news! So, are we meeting up tomorrow?"

Erin had reverted to her normal self, "Well, it's not really up to me, but… I think so."

Suzaku was reassured just by talking to her, "We'll ask Yu-kun tomorrow. Thanks, Rin-chan."

"For what?" She sounded confused.

He smiled, "For being there for me. Goodnight."

She blushed as he was about to hang up, "Goodnight! I'll see you tomorrow morning~"

They hung up and prepared to go to sleep, their goal for the next day set in their minds.

Friday 9/16/11

The full team met at Junes after school. Yukiko was the first one who spoke. "Last night on TV… That was Naoto-kun for sure."

Everyone looked to the resident bear as Chie asked, "What's the verdict Teddie? Is he really in there?"

The bear replied, "I do smell someone."

Yosuke seemed discouraged. "Damnit! The killer's still out there! Nothing's changed! First Suzaku-kun and now Naoto-kun! It's just like before!"

Yukiko seemed deep in thought. "Like… Before…" Her head perked up as she said, "Of course! That's why he appeared on the news so suddenly!"

Suzaku picked up her train of thought. "He said something didn't seem right, and since you all rescued me so quickly, there was no concrete evidence to support his theory until now!"

Everyone had caught up. "Wait, he's using himself as bait?" Yosuke asked, surprised.

Chie was panicking. "That's crazy! He could be killed!"

Kanji slammed his hands on the table, startling everyone and making Erin jump. "That idiot! Why didn't he tell us!?"

Erin voiced her thoughts. "He knew we'd try to stop him. Instead, he gave hints and left it to us to put the clues toge-"

Kanji cut her off. "I know! That son of a-"

Chie got the conversation back on track. "But what about the killer the police are holding? Didn't Mitsuo kill King Moron?"

Yu opened his mouth for the first time. "Yes, but that's all he did. He didn't fit the pattern."

Everyone wanted to speculate, but Kanji stopped that by screaming, "To hell with someone who's behind bars! If we don't do something, that stupid Naoto's gonna die in there!"

In the TV, Rise summoned her Persona, Kanenzon. It lowered the visor over her eyes. "Someone's definitely in here. And it seems this world has grown bigger."

Teddie seemed very impressed. "Wow, not even I can tell that much Rise-chan! Can I give you a massage?"

Erin swatted him on the head of his costume. "Don't disturb her."

Eventually, she smiled. "I found him! Follow me!"

Yu began to follow behind Rise. "Come on everyone. Suzaku, we're going. Suzaku?"

He was crouched over by the exit TV, building something. Yosuke took a look over his shoulder. "Dude!? How did you get that in here?"

Suzaku turned around, loading bullets into a rifle. "I took it apart and carried it with me. It's perfectly legal, as it is a registered firearm and I have a hunting license. Seeing as this can bring down large deer, it should work against Shadows."

Yu just shrugged and continued, everyone falling into step behind him and Rise. After maybe twenty minutes of walking, they reached what looked like an armoured bunker. Kanji was the first to voice his thoughts with "What is this place?"

Yusuke looked it over. "It's all sci-fi. Hey, doesn't it remind you of those secret hideouts in live action shows?"

Kanji nodded. "Oh yeah… I used to watch Featherman R all he time when I was a kid."

Rise smiled. "I hear those are really tough shoots and the actors do all their stunts, like jumping through fire."

Yosuke shrugged, "Well, it's every man's dream to do that kind of stuff."

Chie nodded, "I can understand that. They're action-based, like kung-fu movies. Plus, that phrase "secret hideout" has that exciting ring to it!"

Erin spoke up, "Didn't this come from Naoto-kun's mind?"

Yosuke laughed. "Looks like our proper boy detective isn't as grown-up as he thinks."

Yu began to think who would come in with him. "Yosuke, come with me." He followed Yu, they always went in together. "Erin, come as our healer. Suzaku, you haven't tested yourself yet with your Persona."

He shifted his rifle in his hands. "No time like the present, right?" Yu nodded at that answer.

"Just let me know if you get tired, and we'll switch you out with someone else."

As they walked inside, a computerized voice went off. "INTRUDERS DETECTED. I REPEAT, INTRUDERS DETECTED! THREAT LEVEL YELLOW! INTRUDERS, LEAVE THE FACILITY IMMEDIATELY!"

Ignoring the warning, they went on and soon found themselves in heir first battle, against Constancy Relics and Hableries. The Relics had Garudyne, and knocked Suzaku down easily enough. Erin, concerned, ran to help him up while Yosuke tried to draw the wind attacks. When Suzaku got back up, he muttered, "That was pathetic."

He tried summoning his Persona. His tarot card floated in front of him as he used the butt of his rifle to smash it before returning into his battle stance. "Shiranui! Calling you!" He knocked down the Relics, but his fire was reflected by the Hablerie, making him wince. He then turned his attention to the one still standing. "Tempest Slash!" It was hurt, but not down.

Yu summoned his Persona next, "Black Frost!" He unleashed a Mabufula, which turned out to be the Hablerie's weakness, meaning all the enemies were down. Suzaku looked at him. "Let's end them for good!" With Yu's nod, they charged as he said, "Search and destroy!" When the cloud of dust cleared, there was nothing left.

They kept going until they reached the fourth floor, and a certain area seemed to be cordoned off. The computer kept asking them for an ID that they didn't have. They tried Persona attacks on the door, and Suzaku shot at it, but nothing forced it open.

Yu watched them, even trying to blast it open with a Megido off Samael. After the Almighty spell failed, he sighed. "Looks like we can't get past here. Let's explore the rest of the floor and see if there's another way to proceed." The party followed him, Yosuke and Suzaku both gave the door—covered in shallow cuts, scorch marks, and tiny dents from bullets—a dirty look.

They kept on going, Rise telling them where Shadows were (and Erin skipping behind and somehow tripping every so often). This let them avoid most battles, but they couldn't avoid every single one. Suzaku found his physical attacks were more effective, but they drained his health, and Erin seemed to be taxed by the healing, so he switched to either using his basic attack or Shiranui's fire skills, if only to make it easier on her. They were all tired out when they made it to the sixth floor, where they found another door impeding their progress. Yu clenched his fist. "Damn. I know the pathway down is past here. But we don't have a key card."

Suzaku looked at the banks of consoles. "Has anyone even looked at these? I bet they at least get Minesweeper."

Erin walked up behind him. "Focus. We need to figure out where the key cards would be."

He shrugged. "Can't I play minesweeper while doing that?"

"No."

"Spoilsport."

Yu and Yosuke couldn't help but smile at the two's argument. But while Yu softly chuckled, he couldn't help but notice a little key card sitting out. He picked it up and showed it to Yosuke. He grinned and nodded.

"Hate to interrupt this little lovers' spat" This made them both blush and deny anything. Erin tried to make herself smaller and vanish, Suzaku was ready to hit Yosuke, before they both saw the card in his hand. "We found this. Ready to go check that other door?"

As they nodded, Yu asked, "Rin-chan, how many heals do you have left?" At this she looked down. "Not a lot left, Leader-kun..." He just used a Goho-M, and they were at the entrance, leading them over to the fox.

The little fox dumped some healing leaves on the ground for them, but stood protectively over them, until Yu poured out a large sum of Yen. He took the leaves and have them to everyone to chew, and they felt fully refreshed. As they went back to the entrance, Suzaku looked back at the fox. "I thought you were nice, but you're just a greedy little fleabag, aren't you?"

The fox yipped, as if to say, "Beggers can't be choosers." as he left to rejoin the others, ready to head back into Naoto's secret base.

Woohoo, done this one! Stay tuned for next time when we deal with Naoto's Shadow! Elisabeth's writing that chapter, and I'm doing that battle.

And are you excited for P4: Golden? I've got mine pre-ordered. I am psyched for my stickers! In 20 years, they will totally be super-rare collector's items, calling it now~

Hugs to all our readers~